Jihad

2006

Details

Video excerpt

Video still

One Channel Installation

Jihad is a familiar scene, covered far too often in the news: the videotaped message of the Islamist “terrorist,” face covered and Kalashnikov in hand, reciting a message of hate and death from the Quran. In the artist’s version of the ‘last’ message and of Jihad, the cowboy “terrorist” stands in front of a wall painted with Stars and Stripes. He begins by reciting a verse from the Quran, and then picks up an acoustic guitar and sings, ‘This Land is Your Land,’ one of the most famous American folk songs by folk singer Woody Guthrie. The implication of media manipulation is twofold: by the terrorists themselves as well as the media that covers such videos in the news.

This land is your land,This land is my land,From California,To the New York Island,From the Redwood forest,To the Gulf Stream waters,This land was made for you and me.As I was walkingA ribbon of highway,I saw above meAn endless skyway,I saw below me,A golden valley.This land was made for you and me.I've roamed and rambledAnd I've followed my footsteps,To the sparkling sandsOf her diamond deserts,And all around meA voice was sounding,This land was made for you and me.The sun comes shiningAs I was strolling,The wheat fields wavingAnd the dust clouds rolling,The fog was liftingA voice come chanting,This land was made for you and me.This land is your land.This land is my landFrom California,To the New York Island,From the Redwood forest,To the Gulf Stream waters,This land was made for you and me.